CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:PTN), a specialized biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin and natriuretic peptide receptor systems for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.

"The last year has been very productive for Palatin, most notably the acceptance of the Vyleesi™ (bremelanotide) NDA by the FDA," said Carl Spana, Ph.D., CEO and President of Palatin. "Going forward, the first quarter of calendar year 2019 could bring FDA approval for Vylessi – a significant milestone and major inflection point for Palatin, its employees, its shareholders, and most importantly, the thousands of premenopausal women seeking treatment for HSDD in the U.S."

2018 Highlights and Recent Events

Vyleesi (bremelanotide)

• Vyleesi™, the trade name for bremelanotide - Under development for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder ("HSDD"):
• In June 2018, our exclusive North American Licensee for Vyleesi, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAG) ("AMAG"), was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") of acceptance for the filing of the New Drug Application ("NDA") on Vyleesi, with an FDA PDUFA (Prescription Drug User Fee Act) goal date for completion of the FDA review of the NDA of March 23, 2019.
• FDA's acceptance of the NDA triggered a $20 million milestone payment to Palatin, less expenses paid by AMAG.
• Palatin is entitled to receive up to $60 million upon regulatory approval by the FDA.
• If approved, Vyleesi would become the first and only on-demand pharmacologic option indicated for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women in the U.S.
• Entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development Co. Ltd. ("Fosun"), a subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd in September 2017 for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Vyleesi in the territories of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong S.A.R. and Macau S.A.R.
• Received $4,500,000 in October 2017, consisting of an upfront payment of $5,000,000 less $500,000, which was withheld in accordance with tax withholding requirements in China.
• Entered into a license agreement with Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Kwangdong") in November 2017 for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Vyleesi in the Republic of Korea.
• Received $417,500 in December 2017, consisting of an upfront payment of $500,000 less $82,500 which was withheld in accordance with tax withholding requirements in the Republic of Korea.

PL-8177 / PL-8331

• Melanocortin Receptor 1 (MC1r) Agonists under development for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as dry eye, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy and inflammatory bowel diseases:
• Completed subcutaneous dosing of human subjects with PL-8177 in a Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose clinical safety study, with data expected in the fourth quarter of calendar 2018.
• May 2018 – Presented positive preclinical data on PL-8331 at TIDES: Oligonucleotide and Peptide Therapeutics 2018 Meeting.
• April 2018 – Presented preclinical oral formulation data on PL-8177, an investigational MC1r agonist for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at the 2018 Keystone Symposia on "The Resolution of Inflammation in Health and Disease."

Corporate

• Decreased debt from $14.8 million at June 30, 2017 to $7.2 million at June 30, 2018.
  
• Added to the Russell 3000^® Index in June 2018.
  
• Grew the company's intellectual property portfolio with several filings and issuances during the year.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Financial Results
Palatin reported net income of $11.8 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to net income of $13.3 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2017.

The difference between the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was primarily attributable to the recognition of contract revenue pursuant to our license agreement with AMAG of $20.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 compared to $33.9 million in 2017.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, Palatin reported net income of $24.7 million, or $0.12 per basic and diluted share compared to a net loss of $(13.3) million, or $(0.07) per basic and diluted share for the year ended June 30, 2017.

The difference in net income for the year ended June 30, 2018, and the net loss for the year ended June 30, 2017, was primarily attributable to the recognition of $67.1 million in license and contract revenue for the year ended June 30, 2018 compared to $44.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, and secondarily to a $14.1 million decrease in operating expenses to $41.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2018 compared to $55.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017.

Revenue
For the quarter and year ended June 30, 2018, Palatin recognized $20.6 million and $62.1 million, respectively, in contract revenue related to our license agreement with AMAG and an additional $5 million in license revenue for the year ended June 30, 2018 related to our license agreement with Fosun.

For the quarter and year ended June 30, 2017, Palatin recognized $33.9 million and $44.7 million, respectively, in contract revenue related to our license agreement with AMAG.

Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 were $8.3 million compared to $19.6 million for the comparable quarter of 2017.  For the year ended June 30, 2018, Palatin incurred $41.2 million of operating expenses, compared to $55.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017.

The decrease in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the completion of Phase 3 clinical trials and less other development of Vyleesi for HSDD.

Other Income/Expense
Total other expense, net, was $0.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $0.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.  For the year ended June 30, 2018, total other expense, net, was $1.1 million, compared to $2.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017.  Total other expense, net for both fiscal years ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 consisted mainly of interest expense related to venture debt.

Income Tax
Income tax expense was $0.3 and $0.1 million, respectively, for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.5 million in alternative minimum tax for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2017.

Income tax expense for the year ended June 30, 2018 relates to $0.6 million in tax withholding requirements related to our Fosun and Kwangdong license agreements that was recorded as an expense during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 offset by a tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the release of a valuation allowance against Palatin's federal alternative minimum tax credit as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed in December 2017.  Accordingly, $0.5 million is included in other long-term assets at June 30, 2018.  

Cash Position
Palatin's cash and cash equivalents were $38.0 million and no accounts receivable at June 30, 2018, compared to cash, cash equivalents and investments of $40.5 million, and accounts receivable of $15.1 million at June 30, 2017. Current liabilities were $10.8 million as of June 30, 2018, compared to $19.9 million, net of deferred revenue of $35.1 million, as of June 30, 2017.

Palatin believes that existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund our planned operations through at least September 30, 2019.

Palatin Drug Discovery Programs
In the conference call and webcast, management will update and discuss next steps in Palatin's portfolio of drug development programs.  These include Palatin's melanocortin receptor­1 and receptor-5 agonist peptides for treatment of inflammatory indications and natriuretic peptide receptor agonist compounds for treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary indications.

Conference Call / Webcast
Palatin will host a conference call and audio webcast on September 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of operations in greater detail and provide an update on corporate developments.  Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-855-719-5012 (U.S./Canada) or 1-334-323-0522 (international), conference ID 5577225.  The audio webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the "Investor/Webcasts" section of Palatin's website at http://www.palatin.com.  A telephone and webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call. To access the telephone replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (U.S./Canada) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), passcode 5577225.  The webcast and telephone replay will be available through September 20, 2018.

About Palatin Technologies, Inc.
Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a specialized biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin and natriuretic peptide receptor systems, with targeted, receptor-specific product candidates for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential. Palatin's strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders in order to maximize their commercial potential.  For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin's website at www.Palatin.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about future expectations of Palatin Technologies, Inc., such as statements about clinical trial results, potential actions by regulatory agencies including the FDA, regulatory plans, development programs, proposed indications for product candidates and market potential for product candidates, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Palatin intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Palatin's actual results to be materially different from its historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Palatin's actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for reasons including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials, regulatory actions by the FDA and the need for regulatory approvals, Palatin's ability to fund development of its technology and establish and successfully complete clinical trials, the length of time and cost required to complete clinical trials and submit applications for regulatory approvals, products developed by competing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, commercial acceptance of Palatin's products, and other factors discussed in Palatin's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Palatin is not responsible for updating for events that occur after the date of this press release.

Vyleesi™ is a trademark of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in North America and of Palatin Technologies, Inc. elsewhere in the world.                                             

(Financial Statement Data Follows)

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SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc.